For the first time, podcasts have overtaken AM/FM talk radio as the most popular form of spoken-word audio in the United States, according to the latest "Share of Ear" study from Edison Research. The report, reflecting data from the fourth quarter of 2025, shows that podcasts now account for 40% of all time spent with spoken-word content among Americans aged 13 and older, narrowly edging out AM/FM radio's 39% share.
This shift represents a dramatic change from a decade ago when AM/FM radio commanded 75% of spoken-word listening time, compared to just 10% for podcasts. The data underscores a sustained consumer trend towards on-demand digital audio, a development that benefits streaming platforms like Spotify and has significant implications for advertising revenue, potentially shifting ad dollars away from traditional terrestrial radio. The growth in podcasting has been consistent, with overall spoken-word content now comprising a quarter of all daily audio consumption in the U.S.